"It is kind of like the state fair for loggers," said Ray Higgins with the Minnesota Timber Producers Association.

The North Star Expo is a chance for anyone in the timber industry to check out the latest equipment.

"It's nice to see what the other equipment is," said Lovbahl, "Talk to other guys that own the other equipment. See how it works. How it benefits their operations."

Higgins says the timber industry has a $9 billion economic impact on the state, positively affecting some 300 communities. He says the expo is a great way to remind people of the industry's importance.

"It's very important to the economic part of our state," said Higgins.

The North Star Expo runs until 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at the Itasca County Fairgrounds.